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SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS HAS PANTHERS FANS…

Graphic by Zoe Merrick.

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ou could call this a danger game for Penrith, but let’s be honest – who would you be fooling?

After seven wins in a row and dominant performance against the lowly Wests Tigers last Saturday, Penrith take on a Gold Coast side locked in a battle for the wooden spoon and with little to play for at the business end of the season.

Penrith should win this by plenty. It should be a cake-walk.

But it is often when things are supposed to go one way that they turn and go the other – especially in rugby league.

Gold Coast showed against the Warriors last Saturday that they still have a little bit of fight in them, and they really turned it on for Des Hasler’s 500th game as an NRL coach.

And while the Warriors were disappointing, you can’t fault the Titans’ 90 per cent completion rate, five line breaks and willingness to

offload the footy in an effort to create something.

But any confidence they got out of that impressive win across the Tasman is likely to be zapped by a near full-strength Penrith this weekend.

Hasler will do his best to keep the confidence sky high, to use that victory as a starting point for a back-up performance against the fourtime Premiers.

But his words will likely mean nothing once the Panthers start to strangle their opposition this Saturday.

The Tigers tried their best to go with Penrith and play their style of game last weekend, but it lasted all of 20 minutes. They tried it again in the second half and got the same result. Trying to match Penrith, trying to beat them at their own game, just doesn’t work – the Panthers are way too smart for that.

The only thing working against Penrith this

weekend is the old adage that with every win you are closer to a loss. The Panthers have seven of them now on the trot, but they would likely feel they had their fair share of losses to start the season – so they are well and truly out of the system.

Complacency is rarely a problem for Ivan Cleary’s side, though it could be said they probably took a few teams a little too easily earlier in the year. Or for want of a better term, just expected things would happen.

The Panthers would be using all of the lessons learned from the first half of the season in this run towards the Finals, and a possible top four berth if things go their way.

Penrith is sitting right where you want them to be at this stage of the season. Perhaps not when it comes to the ladder, but certainly when it comes to form and the trajectory from here. While other sides in the top eight start to fade, and those outside of it start to get calculators

out for mathematical equations, the Panthers sit in control of their own destiny and with four years of Premiership success behind them. They know how to time their run, they know everything that is going to get thrown at them, and they know how to handle both big game occasions and then battles against lower teams like the Titans.

But here’s the most important thing of all: Penrith have got their defensive mojo back. It’s the biggest worry for any other team in the competition.

In the past few seasons Penrith rarely conceded more than two tries in a game. That blew out at the start of the year, but has quietly corrected itself over the last month. In fact, not since Round 16 have Penrith conceded more than two tries in a game.

Penrith will win this by plenty. And I’ll throw a Brian To’o hat-trick in for good measure.

Tip: Panthers by 40.

panther rumblings

CULLEN FINISHES UP FOOTY GIG

! Cullen bids farewell: Former Channel Nine broadcaster Alex Cullen, who was cut by the network earlier this year after a much-publicised controversy, has finished up his role with the Panthers. Cullen has hosted the Chairman’s Lounge and the Director’s Club at Penrith home games for several years, and has been the first choice as MC for many corporate functions hosted by the club. Cullen has recently moved to Melbourne, where he has joined Channel Seven and picked up a breakfast radio gig, meaning an end to his work at Penrith. His last game was against the Tigers last weekend. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for the club to look within Penrith and select someone local to host its corporate happenings from now on.

! There’s something about Mary: Matildas superstar Mary Fowler is back in Australia, and she was at CommBank Stadium last Saturday night to watch boyfriend Nathan Cleary produce a five-star performance against the Tigers. Her appearance also helped put to bed some silly rumours about a break-up, which that bastion of journalism The Daily Mail in particular had been lapping up.

! Spotted: Legendary Penrith brothers Tony and Frank Puletua both desperately scrolling through their phones outside CommBank Stadium on Saturday, trying to find their tickets to get inside.

! Old mates: The May brothers as well as former Panthers Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva caught up with good mates Moses Leota, Izack Tago and Brian To’o for a happy snap in the minutes after Penrith’s win over the Tigers last Saturday. You’d love to talk up the rivalry between all these former Panthers players and the existing crop, but there’s just no story

there. They’re all great mates.

! Spotted: Former Panthers flyer Robbie Beckett stopping for a selfie with a Panther-

ette during the Old Boys Day lap of honour at CommBank Stadium last Saturday night.

! Bunker chaos: It wasn’t as obvious on the TV broadcast but there was farcical scenes in the wake of the Izack Tago ‘try’ against the Tigers at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night. While referee Peter Gough awarded the try on the field, it appeared from the first replay that Tago hadn’t grounded the ball. So convinced were Penrith that it would be over-turned, that Nathan Cleary didn’t even want to set up the conversion. He had to be asked multiple times by Gough to start going through the process. The Tigers were bewildered when the decision wasn’t referred upstairs, and the try was confirmed. The Panthers themselves were baffled by the call to let the try stand.

! Benji all class: Talking of that try, well done to Tigers coach Benji Marshall who refused to blow up about the decision in the post-match press conference. “I didn’t think

it was a try,” he said. “But it wasn’t going to change the result, we were well beaten by then.”

! Old boys show up: It was great to see a good turn out of former players for Penrith’s old boys day last Saturday. If only there was a way to announce the players as they traverse

the stadium – it’d be great to properly acknowledge the individuals and their contributions. Here’s a great shot of 1991/2 Panthers prop Paul Dunn with Jim Jones last Saturday.

! Rumours shut down: It would appear the Panthers have shut down suggestions of signing Tyrell Sloan from the Dragons or Adam Doueihi from the Tigers. The Doueihi rumour was always a little bizarre and didn’t seem to have any strength behind it. The Sloan story certainly had more punch, but it either was off the mark to begin with or Penrith have gone cold.

! Stadium upgrade: Fresh designs have been revealed showing the new-look Penrith Stadium. Below is the Eastern Grandstand design, with the red outline representing the old stand and the black showing the new look.

The stadium continues to be a huge talking point amongst fans. Nobody seems convinced about the new venue and there’s no doubt all involved have plenty of work to win over members and fans.

Alex Cullen.

EDWARDS PRAISES YOUNG STARS

He’s the fullback for his state, country and of course the four-time premiership-winning Panthers, but Dylan Edwards admits he’s still learning on a weekly basis.

Since returning from another gruelling State of Origin campaign, the 29-year-old has been on fire over the past fortnight – scoring three tries, kicking five goals, and running an average 313m per game.

As one of Penrith’s leaders, Edwards is proving an inspiration to his teammates, in particular the young brigade who are in the midst of their first full season in the NRL.

Speaking with Extra Time this week, Edwards says he’s been impressed with how the likes of Thomas Jenkins, Casey McLean and Blaize Talagi have been performing over the past two months.

“I’ve been really impressed with the performances they’ve been putting in consistently at the moment. It’s really impressive for a young group of guys,” he said.

“They are working really hard on the training paddock, and they have been for months, so I’m happy that they are building their season and are playing really well at the moment.”

But it wasn’t that long ago that things weren’t going so well for the Panthers. Not only did the team drop five on the trot earlier this year, but they were also languishing at the bottom of the table following a thrashing to the Knights

Edwards said despite his extensive resume that includes a Clive Churchill Medal, he’s still “I’m definitely still learning,” he admitted. “As long as you play this game, you’re finding little lessons here and there. Rugby league is the ultimate leveller… as soon as you think you’ve got it figured out; it can quickly bring you back down to earth. As long as I’m playing the game,

Now sitting in fifth position, the Panthers will look to further cement their place in the top eight when they battle the Titans on the Gold

Edwards said Des Hasler’s men are probably better than the position they currently find

“They weren’t far off beating the Tigers the week before either – they just got pipped there. And they beat a top four side last week over in New Zealand, which is really impressive, and you expect them to be even better at home,” he said.

“They are playing some good footy, they play a dangerous brand of footy, and we’ll have to play our best if we want to beat them.” The game is live on Kayo and Fox Sports.

Dylan Edwards before Panthers training on Tuesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

NATHAN TAYLOR

HONESTY SPARKED PANTHERS REVIVAL

Rising Panthers centre Casey McLean said a passionate speech from threetime Premiership-winning dummy half Mitch Kenny was one of the catalysts for Penrith’s mid-season turnaround.

With the club’s big stars on rep duty with the Blues, it was stand-in skipper Kenny who helped the Panthers pick up the pieces from a disastrous performance in Bathurst and go on to win seven consecutive games.

“Ivan made his point after that game [in Bathurst], but the turnaround has been player driven from there on,” McLean revealed on Tuesday.

“Without the Origin boys there, Mitch Kenny set the tone for us all. He’s the one that said, ‘we are a lot better, and we need to lift our standards’ and ever since then our intensity at training and even just around the change room has gone through the

McLean has also turned a corner over the past month. Struggling with second-year syndrome earlier in the year, the 19-year-old has enjoyed a fabulous month of footy which has seen him score a handful of spectacular tries as well as hold his own against one of the best in the business, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton.

“I knew it was going to be a tough challenge going up against Critta – he sets the standard to all centres around the league,” McLean said.

“Critta’s in the position he’s in for a reason, so I just wanted to live up to that expectation and hold my own against him, which I think I did, but honestly there’s still a lot more to grow in my game and overall.”

Playing both wing and centre, McLean has crossed the line nine times for the Panthers this year and is hoping to add even more to his try scoring tally as the NRL Finals draw closer.

McLean said he’s loving the combination he’s formed with his left edge, which includes Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Luke Garner and Scott Sorensen.

“If we’re all defending well together, all attacking well together, it bonds us and everyone’s confidence starts to feed off one another.”

McLean said “trust” between his teammates has also resulted in that left edge becoming so lethal in both attack and defence.

“Our trust for one another has come a long way,” he said.

“Understanding each other’s movements has gotten a lot better. It’s been a handful of games now that we’ve started to gel and started to play good together, but honestly, it’s been cool playing with them. They are good ‘bros’ to have around.”

McLean and the Panthers will be looking to inflict some more damage on the competition when they face-off with the struggling Gold Coast Titans this Saturday afternoon in Robina.

The Titans are coming off a shock win over the Warriors in Auckland last weekend, a victory

that certainly caught the eye of the defending Premiers.

“You just have to respect every opponent the same. They just won last week against a top four team,” McLean said of the Titans’ standing on the NRL ladder.

“We have to respect what their strengths are; stick to our own game plan; and not get too far ahead of ourselves.”

Casey McLean chatting with journalist Nathan Taylor on Tuesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Casey McLean is loving life.

Casey McLean getting the better of Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton. Photo: NRL Images.

Tries: L Smith, C McLean, I Tago, D Edwards, L Martin, T Jenkins Goals: N Cleary 6/6

Tries: Goals: A Doueihi 1/1

Tries: R Vaega 2, J Sykes, T Talau, H Hart, S Kioa, A Schoupp Goals: B Wakeham 6/7

Tries: A Kepaoa 2, D Laurie, Z Lipowicz, D Fale, L Sommerton, T Toelau Goals: J Cole 3/7

Tries: J Patea, M Lear, B Constable Goals: T Handcock 2/3

Tries: C Bush Goals: C Bush 1/1

panther memories

Royce Simmons’ final game in first grade is etched in every Penrith fan’s memory given it was a famous Grand Final.

We all know Simmons scored two tries in what was a classic Penrith victory at the Sydney Football Stadium on a special September day.

But often forgotten is Simmons’ other big farewell – his final game at his beloved Penrith Park.

The game was against Balmain on Sunday, August 18 in 1991.

Before a huge crowd of 18,827 the Panthers ran riot – winning 41-12 and leaving Balmain shellshocked.

Simmons didn’t get over the line, but he did get the opportunity to kick a goal towards the end of the game – landing the conversion. It would be the only goal of his first grade career.

Simmons was cheered off the field by not only his teammates, but former Panthers who were there on the day celebrating the club’s 25th anniversary.

THE KEYS TO PENRITH’S SUCCESS

lang on league

With six rounds remaining in the regular 2025 NRL season, the Panthers are on the cusp of a remarkable run which has them on the edge of a top four finish.

Whether they finish fourth or not the club has five people who will have a significant say in whether the team can win a fifth straight premiership title.

They are head coach Ivan Cleary, assistant coaches Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner, Lead Physiotherapist Pete Green and on-field trainer Shane Elford.

Of course, there are dozens more behind-the-scenes staff who help the ‘fabulous five’ listed above but it’s impractical to list them all.

Now it goes without saying that how the players perform in each game will ultimately determine how many victories the side can amass but the ‘fabulous five’ are the ones who prepare the team and make sure the players are healthy enough to compete in every game.

Let’s start at the top and that’s head coach Ivan Cleary. He creates the culture, game plan, runs the training sessions and basically is the leader of the pack.

What he says, goes, Cleary decides how the side will defend, attack, who plays where and who plays first grade each week, it’s all on his shoulders.

He also comes up with weekly game plans and sets up the systems which decide how the club will play from Harold Matthews all the way up to first grade.

However, with a resume which includes coaching over 450 first grade games, guiding teams to six grand final appearances and four consecutive premierships,

prepared each week. To this end, his right-and-left hand men are Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner.

Peter Wallace has been in the role since 2023 and prior to this, Wallace coached the Panthers’ NSW Cup team to premiership

He was also a handy player and

it’s safe to say the club is in good hands.

In Ivan we trust.

As a leader Cleary likes to delegate and doesn’t believe in being a micro-manager. It’s well known that he gives his assistant coaches plenty of say in how the team is

helps with the team’s attack. Ben Gardiner is the other assistant coach who took over from Andrew Webster in 2023. Gardiner works on the team’s defence amongst other things. Unfortunately for Penrith he is so highly regarded that he will

leave the Panthers at the end of the season to take up a coaching position with the Perth Bears.

The Penrith Panthers also have a team of physiotherapists who provide injury management and rehabilitation for its players.

Peter Green is the lead physiotherapist and it’s his primary role to consult with High Performance Manager Tom Lovell and together with the other physios, work out injury management and rehabilitation programs for the players.

Over the years they have done a remarkable job with Nathan Cleary’s shoulder and hamstring injuries.

It’s his job to get an injured player back to full fitness and back on the field as soon as possible.

Finally, there’s Shane Elford who wears two important hats, one as the General Manager of Rugby League and the other as an on-field trainer.

As an on-field trainer, Elford’s main role is to ensure player safety by providing first aid and managing injuries. He also provides water to players during breaks and relays messages between the coaching staff and players during stoppages in play.

So, at the end of the day, it’s simple, without the ‘fabulous five’ there is no possibility of five-peat Premiership success.